Work

Towards Holistic Agrarian Reform for Tenure Security : Study of The Implementation of Complete Systematic Land Registration in Lebak Regency, Banten

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: The Complete Systematic Land Registration (PTSL) programme represents Indonesia’s primary strategy for land policy reform, theoretically aimed at converting informal assets into capital to improve public welfare, as conceptualised by de Soto. However, in practice, its implementation often faces significant challenges, failing to resolve underlying agrarian conflicts or structural poverty. This study investigates the gap between PTSL’s normative goals and its practical implementation in Lebak Regency, Banten. Using a mixed-method case study approach in Parungsari Village, combined with the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) to analyse expert and community stakeholder priorities, this research examines the praxis of PTSL and identifies pathways for policy renewal. The findings reveal that ‘community participation’ (weight 0.401) is the most critical factor for success. Furthermore, the AHP identifies ‘policy to prevent and resolve land and agrarian conflicts’ (weight 0.391) and ‘post-certification community empowerment’ (weight 0.357) as the highest-priority policy alternatives. This contrasts with the programme’s current focus, which is merely on the rapid issuance of certificates. The study concludes that PTSL, while providing tenurial security, fails to deliver economic security. It requires fundamental reform, shifting from a purely administrative-legal tool to a socio-political instrument that prioritises conflict resolution and empowerment as prerequisites for genuine, pro-poor agrarian reform.Received: 2026-05-28 Revised: 2026-07-28 Accepted: 2026-08-24 Published: 2025-08-31

Source: Indonesian Journal of Geography

DOI: 10.22146/ijg.119474

Authors: Affan Hilman Sutarto, Harianto Harianto, Ujang Sumarwan, Yudha Heryawan Asnawi

Institution: IPB University

Language: English

Topic: Land Rights and Reforms

Subfield: Soil Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDGs: Peace, justice, and strong institutions, Sustainable cities and communities, No poverty

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $100